rolling out laptops from image

[Guest -keevill-]

I bought 6 end of the line laptops for use by our field reps.

I have spent a day and half setting up the first one with winxp pro and all

the drivers and windows updates and finally software.

Is it possible to use some cloning software to make an image of the

completed pc and put in on a thumb drive in order to set up the other

machines quickly.

Can it be done with Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image perhaps ?

How will I be able to put in the windows activation codes is one question

which comes to mind ?

[Guest Malke]

Re: rolling out laptops from image

 

-keevill- wrote:

> I bought 6 end of the line laptops for use by our field reps.

> I have spent a day and half setting up the first one with winxp pro and

> all the drivers and windows updates and finally software.

> Is it possible to use some cloning software to make an image of the

> completed pc and put in on a thumb drive in order to set up the other

> machines quickly.

> Can it be done with Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image perhaps ?

> How will I be able to put in the windows activation codes is one question

> which comes to mind ?

 

Did XP Pro come with the laptops and you installed with that disk? If yes,

then use imaging software (I prefer TI) and create an image of your perfect

laptop. Apply the image to the other 5 machines. You can change the product

key to match the ones on the COA stickers on the bottom of the laptop with

the free MS keychanger or, IIRC, Magic Jelly Bean although strictly

speaking it isn't necessary in this case. Activation (by the end user or

you) is normally not necessary with OEM versions like that because it has

already been done in volume by the laptop mftr.

 

If, OTOH, you used your own copy of XP Pro to install then you do indeed

have a problem because you need a copy of XP for each one of the 6 machines

and you only have one. You can still make your image but you'll need to

purchase the missing 5 licenses, change the license keys after the image is

applied, and activate the machines.

 

Malke

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MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

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